CUMBRIA SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICE DIGITISES BOOKINGS

Cumbria Sexual Health Service (CSHS) will offer its patients the ability to book appointments and order STI self-testing kits online.

The initiative is expected to become available to patients in the New Year, while plans form part of an project designed to improve access and reduce pressure on clinic staff.

Once live, patients will register on the online booking platform and go through an intuitive and intelligent triage process which, based on their responses, determines the care the patient needs and offers an appointment that matches that need.

SSE ENTERPRISE CONNECTS NHS FACILITIES IN ABERDEEN

UK connectivity provider, SSE Enterprise Telecoms, has announced the delivery of gigabit-capable connectivity to 22 public sector sites, including priority NHS facilities in the area. This project is part of SSE Enterprise Telecoms’ wider drive to create better infrastructure across the UK and to futureproof digital ambitions.

SSE Enterprise Telecoms was awarded the Dark Fibre project for Aberdeenshire Council, NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Council in March 2020. The project spans 275km across the Aberdeenshire region and is being rolled out in stages from now, throughout 2021, and into 2022. It will help to deliver improved public services to key public sector locations in a number of towns around Aberdeen city.

DANISH STARTUP LAUNCHES EYE CARE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Danish-based startup, EYE-GO has developed a medical device for ophthalmic drug administration. This system secures the right dose into the cornea of the eye so that people with severe and chronic eye conditions can have the full effect of the ocular medication.

Henrik Nagel, CEO of EYE-GO said: “One of the disruptive features of our technology is a high precision micro pump that releases a gentle mist of only 6µl (microliters), which matches the optimal absorption capacity of the cornea.

"In comparison, a dense drop from an eye drop bottle is between 30-60µl (microliters), which is a significant waste of resources as it cannot be absorbed in the cornea, and also risks irritating the skin around the eyes.” 

AI TOOL TRAINED TO TRIAGE GP LETTERS

UK software provider Advanced is working with researchers at The University of Manchester and AI specialist Spectra Analytics to develop an AI solution that will process clinical correspondence in primary care.

Together, they are creating AI tooling for a new version of its healthcare software Docman10, called Docman10X, to automatically read patient letters, and only show letters to GPs which AI thinks need further action.

A number of GPs have agreed to take part in the first set of testing, which began this month, and Advanced is now inviting other practices across the UK to join its programme and enable technology development in primary care services at scale as pressure on GP practices intensifies.

MACHINE SOLUTIONS ACQUIRES BW-TEC AG

Machine Solutions has announced that it has acquired all of the outstanding stock of Switerland-based BW-TEC AG. The acquisition brings together two industry-leading providers for the medical device industry.

The acquisition of BW-TEC continues the expansion of technologies offered by Machine Solutions and its brands, including MSI, Steeger USA, Vante, PlasticWeld Systems, Crescent Design, Beahm Designs and SEBRA.

The BW-TEC team will continue to grow and develop equipment in Switzerland, with additional sales and service support from the Machine Solutions global team.

AI SOLUTION NOMINATED FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE AWARD

Healthcare technology company, Vantage Health, has announced that its AI-powered platform, Rego, has been shortlisted for ‘Local Covid-19 Response Partnership Award’ at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2021.

The shortlisting recognises Vantage Health’s dedication to improving healthcare and collaboration with the NHS, through Rego’s role in managing hospital outpatient attendances during the pandemic.

This year’s HSJ Partnership Awards highlight the essential role of private and third sector organisations in strengthening the healthcare system during the pandemic. The judging panel comprised a range of regarded figures across the NHS and wider healthcare sector.

APP GIVES PARENTS ACCESS TO PAEDIATRICIANS

A new app that gives parents access to NHS paediatricians has launched, allowing families to seek out medical advice from specialists. The paediatrician-designed app, called Juno, was trialled by 1,000 parents during its beta phase and is now available to download across the UK. 

Juno has been designed and launched by the team behind Pando Health, the doctor-led communications app used by NHS clinicians to speed up communications and reduce reliance on pagers and WhatsApp in clinical settings.

The founders - Dr Lydia Yarlott, Philip Mundy, and Dr Barney Gilbert - decided to use their understanding of healthcare communications and the expertise of their network to create Juno.

PAIGE ACHIEVES CE MARKS FOR BREAST CANCER

AI-based digital diagnostics company, Paige, has received a CE mark for Paige Breast, its breast cancer detection software that indicates suspicious areas for further review to pathologists evaluating breast biopsies.

The company also received a CE mark for Paige Prostate Grading & Quantification, a digital diagnostic that offers slide level information for primary and secondary Gleason patterns and tumor size to inform treatment planning.

With these CE marks, both products are now available for use in laboratories and hospitals in the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK.

SYNTELLIX RECOGNISED AS TOP ORTHOPAEDIC SOLUTION

Germany-based biomaterials company, Syntellix has been named 'Company of the Year', leading the list of 'Top 10 Orthopaedic Solution Providers in Europe' of the industry news platform, MedTech Outlook in 2020.

MedTech Outlook bridges the spectrum between medical technology providers and healthcare facilities and aims to assist decision makers to find the right solutions by annually compiling the top 10 best-in-class orthopaedic solution providers.

Among those selected companies, the award panel has selected Syntellix as 2020 'Company of the Year' to praise the use of MAGNEZIX implants during the COVID-19 pandemic.